News

Native UK Breed Calf Numbers Growing

UK – Interest in native breeds is continuing in the UK cattle sector, while continental calf numbers are shrinking.

Calf registrations for Aberdeen Angus and Hereford numbers lifted nine and 11.8 per cent in 2014, an EBLEX analysis of British Cattle Movement Service figures show.

Contrastingly, Simmental, Charolais and Limousin birth registrations all fell with Blonde d’Aquitaine sliding the most at nearly 10 per cent.

However, Limousin remains the dominant beef breed, still followed by Angus and Hereford in third after an increase of 11.8 per cent.

Optimism in the dairy sector was noted by EBLEX senior analyst Debbie Butcher who outlined a long-term decline in the proportion of non-dairy registrations.

She pointed to this outlook for a four per cent increase in dairy-bred female calves.

“It is the first time since 2011 that beef-sired registrations have recorded a year-on-year increase in the main calving months of April and May,” said Mrs Butcher, outlining the difficult conditions of spring 2013.

Commenting on the future, she added: “While the increases in specific native breed registrations do point to some positivity in the sector, the increase in overall numbers is likely to have only limited impact on production in the medium term.”